328dude
Still turning two
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 1,647
I thought I would start a thread on what all you new hires can expect once you are given a class date at SWA. This is based on my own experinces since I have been here for 6 weeks and thought I would pass some "good to know" info along to all of you in the pool.
1. Most likely, you will be staying at the Holiday Inn Select ( http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/sl/...questid=529439) when you arrive. Your hotel reservation will be from the day prior to the start of class untill your completion date. You do not need to check out if you leave for a weekend, but just let the housekeepers now if you do. The hotel is very accomodating. The above website list's the services they provide such as laundry and free internet access (WiFi in the rooms).
2. The hotel does have it's own restaurant, but you will grow tired of the same old thing after awhile. This is why it's a nice idea to have some sort of transportation while you are here. During lunch while in GS, you can eat at HDQ or drive to some local joints. I suggest Dickie's BBQ. There are also a few supermarkets around (a QuikTrip next door) for the essentials, but again, some wheels come in real handy. There is a microwave and a small fridge in each room. Also, one last note of advice. You will check in on a Tues. Your room key will expire each Tues. Make sure you get your key reset before heading up the elevator on each Tues or find that your key no longer works and you have to lug yourself all the way back down to the front desk. Can't count how many times I did this.
3. They new hire class prior to you will throw a party for you the night prior to your class date. This usually takes place around 6pm and is on the second floor of the hotel. The hotel will give you the details once you check in. You don't have to attend, but it's a good idea to meet your fellow classmates and others in training.
4. You can bring your spouse or significant other the first 2 days of class. This gives them a chance to see what SWA is all about and also learn all the benefits stuff as well. They will be with you the first day, and will be taken on a tour of the complex for most of the second day. They will have fun.
5. Once you start class, you will find out who your sim partner will be. You will be paired with a military guy/gal or vice versa. This is done to allow for a even balance of experience. It tends to work out good as you help each other through things you have or not have seen before (FMC, 121 ops etc etc).
6. There is a uniform shop at the training center at which time you will be fitted and your order placed. You will be fitted as well for your leather jacket, but this is not a required item. Keep in mind I haven't seen anyone without one. There are diffrent fabrics and linings to choose, but the more experinced guys would be helpful in this area on which one works best. You can also order your flight case if you need one.
7. First two days of class are business suit. The rest is casual such as Dockers or jeans. Something comfortable is a must.
8. If you have a 2 inch Jeppeson Binder, you might want to bring that to put your FOM in. It will fit in your flight case a bit easier then the issued one. Also bring a flashlight which is a required item for your case. (Hint: You will use it in the sims).
9. The instructors are great and make your experience here very easy. After about 3 weeks, you will find out where your temporary domicile will be. You can bid them by preference, but don't count on getting what you want. This is not your permanant domicile award. After you complete IOE, you will then be given a hard line month at either the same domicile or a diffrent, such as my case, and a line of flying. (19 days off for me in Jan) After this month, you will then be awarded your domicile for the remainder until you can bid to where you want to. It sounds confusing, but the training department folks will explain this all to you in more detail once you arrive. The junior base for newhires is OAK.
10. Once your new hire kit arrives, study the limitations, memory items and flows. Having a good grasp on this material will really help while your in the first few weeks of ground school. I can't stress that enough. The training center is open 24 hours so you can go in and practice these things at any time. There will also be instructions in the packet on what to bring with you for your first day. Make sure you have all the stuff signed that is required. It makes the process easier for you and the staff, who are wonderful by the way.
11. Each class has it's own schedule, so I'm not sure if you will get weekends off or not. My class had one full weekend off the entire 6 weeks of ground school. I wouldn't bet that you will be able to get home each week, so make sure you prepare for that possibility.
________________________________________________________________
Out on the Line, what to expect
________________________________________________________________
1. Don't be late
2. Crashpads: This really depends on where you are going to be based, since some have multiple, while others have very little. MDW for instance, has a tons, all within walking distance to the airport, so no car would be needed. OAK, has none that I ever found. Most guys stay at a wide range of cheap hotels there usually costing 50 bucks a night. Granted, you might only need it 3-4 times a month depending on schedule. I would bet you would be in OAK for atleast a month, but recently that has changed, as a buddy completely bypassed it a few classes back in Jan. Once you can log onto SWALIFE, there is more domicile specific information available.
3. RON's. I've been pretty impressed with the hotels we stay at compared to my last airline. Just remember, that all report times are in central time as are the schedules. You must convert it. Also, show up a few minutes early before the actual van time.
4. Take your time. Don't feel rushed to get the thing set up after each flight. It gets easier with time as I am finding out. The Capt's are really cool about it and don't rush you if they know your new. Just stick to the flows and you will gain speed with experience. If you are coming from an other airline, make sure you get your old callsign and thanks for flying your old airline out of your head when doing you PA's. Nothing sucks more then telling your pax thanks for flying USairways Express your first few weeks. Also, don't say *uck.
5. Headsets: The company will issue you a ear piece stly headest your second day in training. I purchased the earmold for it to make it more comfortable and used it for my IOE. That was the last time I used it, since it was very strange to me and uncomfortable even with the earmold. I've been using my old Synheisers (SP) since that are TSO APPROVED!!! (another thread)..... Try it out and see what you think if you so choose or bring your own, but wait till before you purchase a Bose headset. There are some TSO issues with it that are trying to be resolved. If you have a sense of humor, you could also show up with a set of David Clarks for IOE
6. Where will I be based? This really depends on where you want to be. If you want OAK or MCO, I would say right out of training. If you want Dallas, I would say 6-9 months. Everything else would probably be within 2-3 months once out on line.
That's all I can think of right now. I'll keep adding stuff as I come up with more.
Again, congrats and welcome aboard.
1. Most likely, you will be staying at the Holiday Inn Select ( http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/sl/...questid=529439) when you arrive. Your hotel reservation will be from the day prior to the start of class untill your completion date. You do not need to check out if you leave for a weekend, but just let the housekeepers now if you do. The hotel is very accomodating. The above website list's the services they provide such as laundry and free internet access (WiFi in the rooms).
2. The hotel does have it's own restaurant, but you will grow tired of the same old thing after awhile. This is why it's a nice idea to have some sort of transportation while you are here. During lunch while in GS, you can eat at HDQ or drive to some local joints. I suggest Dickie's BBQ. There are also a few supermarkets around (a QuikTrip next door) for the essentials, but again, some wheels come in real handy. There is a microwave and a small fridge in each room. Also, one last note of advice. You will check in on a Tues. Your room key will expire each Tues. Make sure you get your key reset before heading up the elevator on each Tues or find that your key no longer works and you have to lug yourself all the way back down to the front desk. Can't count how many times I did this.
3. They new hire class prior to you will throw a party for you the night prior to your class date. This usually takes place around 6pm and is on the second floor of the hotel. The hotel will give you the details once you check in. You don't have to attend, but it's a good idea to meet your fellow classmates and others in training.
4. You can bring your spouse or significant other the first 2 days of class. This gives them a chance to see what SWA is all about and also learn all the benefits stuff as well. They will be with you the first day, and will be taken on a tour of the complex for most of the second day. They will have fun.
5. Once you start class, you will find out who your sim partner will be. You will be paired with a military guy/gal or vice versa. This is done to allow for a even balance of experience. It tends to work out good as you help each other through things you have or not have seen before (FMC, 121 ops etc etc).
6. There is a uniform shop at the training center at which time you will be fitted and your order placed. You will be fitted as well for your leather jacket, but this is not a required item. Keep in mind I haven't seen anyone without one. There are diffrent fabrics and linings to choose, but the more experinced guys would be helpful in this area on which one works best. You can also order your flight case if you need one.
7. First two days of class are business suit. The rest is casual such as Dockers or jeans. Something comfortable is a must.
8. If you have a 2 inch Jeppeson Binder, you might want to bring that to put your FOM in. It will fit in your flight case a bit easier then the issued one. Also bring a flashlight which is a required item for your case. (Hint: You will use it in the sims).
9. The instructors are great and make your experience here very easy. After about 3 weeks, you will find out where your temporary domicile will be. You can bid them by preference, but don't count on getting what you want. This is not your permanant domicile award. After you complete IOE, you will then be given a hard line month at either the same domicile or a diffrent, such as my case, and a line of flying. (19 days off for me in Jan) After this month, you will then be awarded your domicile for the remainder until you can bid to where you want to. It sounds confusing, but the training department folks will explain this all to you in more detail once you arrive. The junior base for newhires is OAK.
10. Once your new hire kit arrives, study the limitations, memory items and flows. Having a good grasp on this material will really help while your in the first few weeks of ground school. I can't stress that enough. The training center is open 24 hours so you can go in and practice these things at any time. There will also be instructions in the packet on what to bring with you for your first day. Make sure you have all the stuff signed that is required. It makes the process easier for you and the staff, who are wonderful by the way.
11. Each class has it's own schedule, so I'm not sure if you will get weekends off or not. My class had one full weekend off the entire 6 weeks of ground school. I wouldn't bet that you will be able to get home each week, so make sure you prepare for that possibility.
________________________________________________________________
Out on the Line, what to expect
________________________________________________________________
1. Don't be late
2. Crashpads: This really depends on where you are going to be based, since some have multiple, while others have very little. MDW for instance, has a tons, all within walking distance to the airport, so no car would be needed. OAK, has none that I ever found. Most guys stay at a wide range of cheap hotels there usually costing 50 bucks a night. Granted, you might only need it 3-4 times a month depending on schedule. I would bet you would be in OAK for atleast a month, but recently that has changed, as a buddy completely bypassed it a few classes back in Jan. Once you can log onto SWALIFE, there is more domicile specific information available.
3. RON's. I've been pretty impressed with the hotels we stay at compared to my last airline. Just remember, that all report times are in central time as are the schedules. You must convert it. Also, show up a few minutes early before the actual van time.
4. Take your time. Don't feel rushed to get the thing set up after each flight. It gets easier with time as I am finding out. The Capt's are really cool about it and don't rush you if they know your new. Just stick to the flows and you will gain speed with experience. If you are coming from an other airline, make sure you get your old callsign and thanks for flying your old airline out of your head when doing you PA's. Nothing sucks more then telling your pax thanks for flying USairways Express your first few weeks. Also, don't say *uck.
5. Headsets: The company will issue you a ear piece stly headest your second day in training. I purchased the earmold for it to make it more comfortable and used it for my IOE. That was the last time I used it, since it was very strange to me and uncomfortable even with the earmold. I've been using my old Synheisers (SP) since that are TSO APPROVED!!! (another thread)..... Try it out and see what you think if you so choose or bring your own, but wait till before you purchase a Bose headset. There are some TSO issues with it that are trying to be resolved. If you have a sense of humor, you could also show up with a set of David Clarks for IOE
6. Where will I be based? This really depends on where you want to be. If you want OAK or MCO, I would say right out of training. If you want Dallas, I would say 6-9 months. Everything else would probably be within 2-3 months once out on line.
That's all I can think of right now. I'll keep adding stuff as I come up with more.
Again, congrats and welcome aboard.
